Shoe shank



.Feb. 23 1926. 1,573,939

'W. A. HERMANN SHOE SHANK Filed Feb. 9, 1923 IIIIIIII Patented Feb. 23, E926.

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INC, 6F AUBURN, MAINE,

SHOE

Application filed February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lvrmnur A. Hunrixitvx. a citizen of the United States, residat Auburn count; of i'tiulroscoggin, t .to of Maine. have invented certain new a d useful llniprmeineuts in Shoe Shanks, or which the following a specification.

This invention relates to shoe structures and more particularly to the soles or instep structures thereof. Most shoes and especially women s shoes having high or relatively high heels require for the support of the foot and the shape of the shoe a rigid and very carefully shaped instep arch.

This is usually effected by the use of a reinforcement or shank of some sort. My invention may best be illustrated by a shank structure and preferably by certain special shank embodiments which combine give such increased arch support as well as form and finish without unreasonable expense.

One of the difficulties in reinfor mg a shoe at this location results from the relation of the stiff shank piece to the otherwise flexible materials embodied in this region of the shoe.

As worn the shoe must of necessity follow in part the natural flexion of the foot walking and it has been a difficult matter to get rigidity and support in a region like the instep immediately adjacent an area of flexion such across the ball of the foot.

In shoes in accordance with my invention 1 oiubine the elements or parts in such a manner as to accomplish tais result without omitting or interfering with other known requirements or accepted desiderata coinnion in conventional shoe practice.

As illustrative of my invention 1 have shown in the accompanying drawings certain structures and embodiments characteristic of my invention and well adapted to illustrate the principles thereof. These also show some details preferable but not all essential to the various embodiments of which my invention is capable.

hroughout these drawings and the speciiication relating thereto. like reference characters are conventionally applied to indicate designated parts, and in the drawinp 1s:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a shoe in accordance with my' invention.

11 COREORATION MAINE.

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9, 1923. Serial No. 617.532.

5 is a section on the line (3 is a or. ....F'.! tl) k on the Fig. 7 a view of a sole partly opened up to in ilicate the disposition of parts. i

In the drawi l have indicated at l a solo, at an upper and at $1 a bet-1 portion in usual assembly. he ole 2 is 'efcrably integral and Sg'Jlltl i1 111 heel portion down to the bull to form two fl ps 11 and 12. These flaps are coated with mien; and adapted to be secured together.

In the form of shoe illustrated herein, en'ibody between the two flaps l1 and 12 shank piece which is pernmneutly t; RL'hLW to the t: 12 in any suitable man or as l tacks. rivets or stitches. 'lhis sh i 2y to. piece may be composed in part of a fibrous material but is of a considerable strength and hence usually of necessity of some considerable thickness. On account of its position beneath the inner surface of the sole its flattened upper portion does not produce any distortion or unevenness in the foot contacti surface of the sole but supports it uniformly and smoothly throughout. The outer flap 11 may be molded over the shank piece l so to conform to its external contour whatever that iuav be.

In the form shown the shank piece is in its arched portion somewhat triangular in cross section and the sole therefor acquircs through it the so-callcd cottage type" shank, but without th usual diliiculties of such types as the shank is completely embedded as it were in an otherwise continuous and integral sole member.

While this shank is of great strength it is in many cases desirable to supplement the shank by an additional inner shank 5 as shown in Figs. 9 and 3, which being fastened to the flap 12 clamps that flap between itself and the shank 4- so as to unify in a solid and combined structure the sole itself and the shank members, thus preventing any working or playing; of the parts and any consequent deformation or rupture of the shoe structure.

I In the form of shank shown, I have indicated an extremely rigid type in which an outer member 4 is formed of sheet metal. At its lower end this portion of the shank is formed a ll-shaped channel which runs down to the flattened portion adapted to underlie the heel seat. Within this channel I locate a fibre filler. 4 As appears in Fig. this fibre filler runs out beyond the end of the metal casin 4' forming a somewhat splayed foot as appears in Fig. 3. This extending foot makes a softened end for the shank which has in general a cushioning effect in the area X of the sole. 'Further more, being in itself soft and yielding it does not have the chiseling or cutting effect on the sole 1 which would be the case if a harder material were carried to that region. In fact, when cemented in place this reinforcement becomes unified with the flap is preferably cemented back at once sole is rounded out and channeled in the ordinary manner. It is then split andthe so as not to interfere with the sewing of the sole. Where an inner shank is employed it may then be tacked or sewed. to the adjacent seiercd portion of the sole. The shoe having been made, the shank piece l is then tacked or cemented or both within the sole and underneath the flap. After this the flap is again cemented securely in place and formed down neatly over the enclosed shank member and after this the shoe'may be imished in the usual mannen My in vention is applicable to shoes of various types and in turn, welt and McKay construction and in such produces a shoe giving an unusual support in the arch and all without involving any costly or inconvenient feature in'the manufacture of the shoe.

hat I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a shoe structure, an outer sole having a longitudinally split heel and shank, a shank piece disposed in said split and comprising a sheet metal channeled shell and an enclosed fibrous filler extended slight 1y beyond the lower end and sides thereof, and fastened through said sole and covered by the flap of the sole molded thereto and secured in place over it.

2. In a shoe structure, an outer sole having a longitudinally split heel and shank, a stiffener comprising a flattened heel and shank piece disposed thereon and a second shank piece disposed in said split, said shank pieces being-each fastened to said inter-- posed sole and covered by the flap of the split sole molded thereto and secured in place over it. e

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM A. HERMANN. 

